Background: Perineal traumas particularly caused by following vaginal delivery are associated with short and long term morbidity for women. Therefore, interventions that increase the probability of intact perineum are necessary. The aim of study was to determine the effect of perineal massage with a sterile lubricant on the incidence of episiotomy and perinea laceration. Materials: This clinical trial study was performed on 145 nulliparous women who referred to Amol Emam Ali teaching center for normal delivery. They were randomly participating in interventional group (massage with lubricant) (45 cases) or control group (100 cases). In massage group when they progressed to full dilatation of the cervix, the midwife inserted two fingers inside vagina and using a sweeping motion gently stretched the perineum with lubricant 5 up to 10 minutes, in and between mother's pushing in the second stage of labour. In control group just Ritgen Maneuver was applied. At last, we compared the rate of intact perineum, episiotomy and laceration, mean duration of the second stage of labor and Apgar score in 1 and 5 minutes between two groups. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Chi Square to determine potentially significant associations, and a p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The incidences of intact perineum, episiotomy and laceration were 22.2% (10)

Introduction: Pregnancy is associated with changes in sexual function and perhaps many more sexual problems when accompanied by particular disorders such as gestational diabetes. Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate factors associated with sexual functions in women with gestational diabetes. Materials and Methods: The present analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 women with gestational diabetes (150) and low-risk pregnant women (150) attending clinics affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in the north of Iran in 2019. A multistage cluster random sampling method was used, and samples were selected by convenience sampling method. The study data were collected using a demographic and obstetrics questionnaire, female sexual distress scale-revised, prenatal distress questionnaire, world health organization quality of life questionnaire, depression, anxiety, stress questionnaire, and a female sexual function index. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics indicators, the Chi-square test, t-test, and multivariate linear regression. Results: The frequency of sexual dysfunction was 87.3% in women with gestational diabetes and 34.67% in low-risk pregnant women. Compared to women with low-risk-pregnancy, women with gestational diabetes reported lower sexual function scores (P=0.001). Women with gestational diabetes experience lower quality of life (P<0.05) than low-risk pregnant women. Besides, women with gestational diabetes experience higher levels of stress (P=0.001), more prenatal concerns (P=0.014), and higher sexual distress (P<0.05). The linear regression test showed that gestational diabetes in pregnant women predicts a significant reduction in sexual desire (β=-0.599; P= 0.001). Conclusion: Gestational diabetes predicts a significant reduction in sexual function during pregnancy due to the physical and psychological effects of gestational diabetes. Thus, it is recommended that pregnant women with gestational diabetes should be trained and counseled about gestational diabetes control and sexual function.

Background: Sexual satisfaction is important for maintaining pregnant women’s self-esteem and interpersonal relationships, and serves as a major indicator of health. Affecting a woman's sexual issues will indirectly affect her quality of life. The present study aimed to examine the factors related to sexual satisfaction in women with gestational diabetes in the third trimester. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2019 on 120 women with gestational diabetes visiting the clinics affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Multistage random cluster sampling was performed, and the sample was selected in a non-probability and convenience manner. The data collection instruments included a demographic and midwifery-related information questionnaire, Hudson’s Index of Sexual Satisfaction, the Female Sexual Function Index, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (short version), the Female Sexual Distress Scale, The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, the Parental Distress Questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Data were analyzed in SPSS 23 by using descriptive statistics, chi-squared test, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Results showed that about 50% of women with gestational diabetes had low and moderate sexual satisfaction. In women with gestational diabetes, sexual satisfaction was positively correlated with sexual function (β = 0.215, p = 0.02) and marital satisfaction (β = 0.298, p = 0.003), and negatively correlated with depression (β = -0.269, p = 0.05). Conclusion: Half of the women with gestational diabetes had low and moderate sexual satisfaction. Marital satisfaction, sexual function, and depression significantly predicted sexual satisfaction in women with gestational diabetes. Examination of sexual function, marital satisfaction, and depression must be part of the routine evaluation for women with gestational diabetes. To increase the sexual satisfaction of these women, it is essential to offer interventions for reducing depression and improving sexual function, marital satisfaction and, thus, their quality of life. Keywords: Sexual satisfaction, gestational diabetes, pregnancy